Swaziland National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

The Swaziland National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a national plan with a sectoral approach. The principal objectives of the Swaziland Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan are biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of Swaziland’s biodiversity.
In order to conserve full range of natural ecosystems in Swaziland, existing protected areas network will be modified. Threatened and endemic species will be protected adequately by identifying threatened species using internationally accepted criteria, by complying with the international agreement, and by providing ex-situ conservation for endemic, threatened and high-utility plant species through the establishment of a botanical garden (or a network of gardens). The impact of alien invasive species will be minimized with a precautionary approach. Institutional capacity and human resources will be developed to support community-based natural resource management. Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources and farm animal genetic resources will be ensured by data collection, identification of plant genetic resources of relevance to agriculture, establishment of gene banks, characterization of farm animal genetic diversity, and development of breeding programs for sustainable utilisation of the genetic characteristics of the identified animals. A National Biodiversity Database Unit (NBDU) will be established to be responsible for the collection and storage of all biodiversity information related to Swaziland. Public awareness will be raised on biodiversity conservation through training, seminars, and workshops.
Funding will be assured for the management of protected areas and socio-economic incentives will be created to support local community for conservation of protected areas. Laws and support mechanisms will be developed to protect intellectual property rights of local communities and individuals.
The institutional, policy and legal frameworks, as well as the human resources will be developed to implement the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The roles and responsibilities of the various government institutions, NGOs, parastatals and private bodies will be identified for the management of biodiversity. The Biodiversity Steering Committee will be responsible for the implementation of this Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The Biodiversity Implementation Committee will monitor the progress of BSAP on a regular basis. Legal and policy framework will be developed for the controlled use of living modified organisms (LMOs) and in addition an institution will be identified as responsible for overseeing all aspects of the use of LMOs. The partnership between the various implementing institutions, including the private sector, and community/local and regional administrations, will be developed. CBNRM-enabling legislation will be enacted based on results of pilot projects. Furthermore, Wildlife Act with corresponding regulations and guidelines will be developed for the protection and management of biodiversity in Swaziland. An Annual Biodiversity Conference will be established as a forum for reporting, discussing and evaluating the management of protected areas.